Students were exposed to a huge range of experiences when they went to Japan in November last year.

Fifteen  boys accompanied by Mrs Baker, Ms Brooks and Mr Higashitani set off on a 24 day tour of Japan.  

First stop was Atsugi City, where the boys spent time living with a home-stay family. The boys attended Atsugi High School and also visited local universities.    

Whilst in Atsugi the group did various activities, which included things such as meeting the Mayor, traditional indigo tie-dying, Japanese Fencing (Kendo) and Karaoke (where the teachers saw a new side of many boys). 

From Atsugi we did day trips to Mount Fuji, Hakone, a famous geothermal area. We also travelled to watch the Panasonic Rugby Team play NEC. Thanks to ex highlander Fumiaki Tanaka for gifting us all tickets to the match.

After Atsugi we traveled to Hiroshima by bullet train. The visit to the Peace Park/Atomic Dome and the Peace Museum was an eye-opener and something the boys will not forget.
The day spent at Miyajima Island, just out of Hiroshima, was amazing. The Deer were very friendly and the view from the top of the mountain, looking over the Inland Sea, was spectacular.
After Hiroshima the group was based in Osaka. From here we travelled to Kyoto and saw lots of famous temples, including the Gold Pavilion, Sanjuusangendo and Kiyomizudera. We also did a side trip to Fushimi Inari. The boys walked to the top of the mountain through the thousands of red gates. 

After Osaka/Kyoto we headed back up the island to Tokyo. Highlights from Tokyo included Disneyland, Tokyo Tower and Asakusa Temple.
After 24 days away the boys were very tired and most of them were asleep very quickly once the plane took off for home.
I’m sure that this will be a trip that the boys will never forget, some are already planning to go back. 

I would like to say a big thank you to the boys and the teachers in the tour. I would also like to thank Mrs Laura Marsh for all the initial planning prior to going on maternity leave. Lastly I would like to thank the Tanaka family and the Atsugi City Council for all their help and organisation, and for looking after us so well while we were in Atsugi City.